Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals
Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) is a type of heart surgery. It treats coronary artery disease — also known as heart disease. In coronary artery disease, the vessels supplying blood to the heart muscle become blocked. This decreases blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart, which increases the risk of heart attack and repeated episodes of chest pain or angina.
Find a Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals surgeon who treats coronary artery disease with transmyocardial laser revascularization in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV, using our online tool or by calling (702) 616-4900.
Why is Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization Performed?
The goal of transmyocardial laser revascularization is to relieve chest pain symptoms from coronary artery disease. For most people, bypass surgery is the best treatment. However, your doctor may recommend transmyocardial laser revascularization if you have chest pain from coronary artery disease, medicines have not worked, or if you have other complications.
What to Expect During Laser Heart Surgery & Transmyocardial Revascularization
A cardiac surgeon will perform transmyocardial laser revascularization in a Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospital. You will have general anesthesia. Your surgeon can carry out transmyocardial laser revascularization while your heart is beating.
Your doctor will make an incision in the side of your chest and insert a laser through it. Using the laser, your surgeon creates 20 to 40 channels in the wall of your heart’s left ventricle — the lower chamber. The outside ends of the channels are quickly sealed with a blood clot. This leaves closed passages that carry oxygen-rich blood directly to the heart muscle from inside the heart. The procedure takes about two hours.
All cardiac surgeries have a risk of complications, including heart attack.
Recovering After Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization in Las Vegas, NV
Hospital stays after transmyocardial laser revascularization range from three to 10 days. It depends on whether you have the procedure by itself or with bypass surgery. Your stay will include some time in an intensive care unit. After discharge, your doctor may refer you to a cardiac rehabilitation program to help you recover. Your doctor will likely limit your activities for several weeks after transmyocardial laser revascularization. It can take three months or more for a complete recovery. It’s vitally important to follow heart-healthy guidelines for life.
Most people are able to return to activities that once caused chest pain. In fact, 80 to 90 percent of people still feel better than they did before surgery after one year.
Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals doctors perform surgical procedures, including transmyocardial laser revascularization, in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.